Question

Calculate the mechanical advantage if a machine allows you to move a 60 newton rock by only exerting 15 newtons of force.

A) 90 newtons

B) 110 newtons

C) 2 newtons

D) 4 newtons

Answer 1

The mechanical advantage (MA) of the machine is calculated as the output force divided by the input force. Hence, the MA of a machine that lets you move a 60 Newton rock with 15 Newtons of force is 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mechanical advantage of a machine is calculated as the ratio of the output force (the force the machine exerts on a load) to the input force (the force you exert on the machine). To calculate the mechanical advantage (MA) if a machine allows you to move a 60 Newton rock by only exerting 15 Newtons of force, you would use the formula:
MA = Output Force / Input Force
In this case:
MA = 60 N / 15 N = 4

The mechanical advantage is 4, which means that the machine multiplies the input force by a factor of four.